Helmut Marko has criticised F1’s stewards for a lack of consistency following 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen’s penalty a🌱t the start of the Saudi Arabian Grand Pri꧒x.

Verstappen was hit with a five-second penalty after the stewards deemed that he had left the track and gained an advantage when battling 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Oscar Piastri into Turn 1 on the opening lap of the race.

Piastri had made a better start t💟han Verstappen and w𓆉as ahead at the apex of the corner.

Verstappen braked late and cut the corner to maintain the positio﷽n.

As he didn’t relinquish the place, the stewards handed him a five-second penalty, a decision whic꧅h ultimately compromised his race and his chances of winning the rac🎃e.

Marko was left unimpressed by the decision, pointing ඣto similar incidents in the support races, such 🐭as Formula 2, that went unpunished.

Speaking to Sky Germany, Marko said: “I think the race was lost at the start. And really, where was Max supposed to go? We watched the Formula 2 races, and the same thꦅing happened to two or three drivers.

“They were only given warnings. So in our view, the five-second penalty was a bit harsh… the inconsistency in stewarding 🎃is difficult to understand.

“Piastri was ahead at t🃏he start, but at the very last braking zone, Max was slightly ahead again. But it is what it is.”

Verstappen pace “gives us confidence”

Despite the penalt🤪y, Verstappen finished second, within three seconds of eventual race winner Piastri.

It was♎ a strong performance⛦ from Verstappen, a week on from a nightmare Bahrain Grand Prix.

In Bahrain, Verstap🌠pen ꦚfinished a lowly sixth, overtaking Alpine’s Pierre Gasly on the final lap of the race.

Their lack of pace led to a ‘crisis meeting’ taking place after the race between Red𝓀 Bull’s senior figures.

Consequently, the lead-uꦦp to this weekend in Saudi Arabia was centred aroun🍸d Verstappen’s future amid Red Bull’s poor form.

Marko 🧜believes Verstappen🍨’s pace gives Red Bull confidence moving forward.

“You could see it - he pulled a three-second gap early 🔜on. Piastri was already complaining about tire degradation. When you’re following another car, it’s always tougher,” Marko added. “And on the second stint with the hard tires, when Max really pushed to the limit, we were closing in again.

“If someone had told us on Friday that we’d finish second, we’d have celebrated. But the car changes were so effective that we’re obviously a bit deflated not to bring home the win. Still, we showed we’ve got the speed and tire wear under control - that gives us co🍌nfidence moving forward.”